Ming Yue had followed Xuan Pei for a long time, and was originally from the Brocade Guard. Naturally, she could roughly guess some things in her heart. Admittedly, Xuan Li's move was sudden. With his control of the situation, it might have looked like he had the upper hand. But Ming Yue knew, in reality, that was not the case.
Perhaps this handsome young man in front of her had seen through Xuan Li's intentions a long time ago. Although this seemed somewhat inconceivable and she did not know why, Ming Yue knew that Xuan Pei had been planning to deal with Xuan Li for a very long time. From the time when everyone looked down on him and thought that he was just a useless prince, But it was this useless prince who laid out a good move. When Xuan Li ordered people to poison the Emperor, Xuan Pei knew long ago. But he did not say anything or do anything. It was as though he did not know of the matter and did not do anything to stop it.
Dealing with changes by remaining unchanged, killing with a borrowed knife, confusing the other, Xuan Pei's actions were foolproof. Every person who fought for the throne had to step on the blood of the previous Emperor. Blood relations and flesh and blood were not important. If Xuan Pei wanted to fight with Xuan Li for the position, he first had to take down the present Emperor.
Xuan Li acted. Xuan Pei did not do anything wrong. This was also using Xuan Li's hand to achieve his goal. More importantly, Xuan Li would think that Xuan Pei did not know anything. A person who knew of this matter would not be helpless. But Xuan Li's prediction was wrong. Xuan Pei did know and did everything.
For an adult to be able to do all this did not seem like much. For someone like Xuan Li who was extremely ambitious and good at hiding, it was like this. But Xuan Pei was only a youth who had not yet reached marriageable age. For a youth to have such cold and decisive methods, to have the calmness and vision of an Emperor, he was definitely not a person of the pond. Ever since the Emperor knew of his son's talent, he had always treated Xuan Pei well. A person who suddenly received his father's love and care would cherish this little bit of affection.
But Xuan Pei did not. He indifferently watched the Emperor die step by step, and did not show any change in expression. The most heartless Emperor's family, but this calmness and indifference caused Ming Yue to be shocked. What this youth displayed, was more suitable to be the ruler of a country than Xuan Li.
What Ming Yue did not know was that Xuan Pei was not born to be so decisive. After his last life, Xuan Pei had seen very clearly the feelings he had toward the Imperial family. The reason the Emperor valued him so highly was because he valued the things he had displayed. If he didn't have these things, he would still be a useless prince. As for why Jiang Ruan had fallen to such a state in the palace in her previous life, how could the Emperor not have had a part to play in it? In Xuan Pei's eyes, the only family member in the world was Jiang Ruan. The Emperor was only a ruler, not a father. His lifespan had already been decided in his previous life. He would eventually die at the hands of his own son, Xuan Li. And Xuan Pei wanted to make use of this point, so he would not deliberately break it.
He slowly took a deep breath and said, "Xuan Li's next step must be the imperial edict. If he wants to get the imperial edict to establish the Crown Prince, he will act very quickly and catch us off guard. This is his old trick."
Ming Yue had some doubts in her heart. From Xuan Pei's tone, it seemed like he had fought with Xuan Li for many years and understood him very well. However, how could Xuan Pei have ever fought with Xuan Li directly? It was just hitting a cow through the air, showing that they were on equal footing. Even so, she still said, "What does Your Highness think?"
Xuan Pei smiled lightly. He was born with delicate features, and when he smiled, there was an indescribable beauty and elegance in the corners of his eyes, which actually somewhat resembled Jiang Ruan's. "No need to pay attention to it. Striking the mountain to scare the tiger, we will naturally do this as well."
…
Eunuch Li walked out of the Emperor's bedchamber and glanced inside with some worry. The Emperor's body had already started to slowly collapse a long time ago. This was something he had known for a long time, but at that time, he had only thought that it was because he was getting old and that time was unforgiving. Every Emperor would grow old like this; it was inevitable. But … the Emperor's collapse was too sudden.
Under the watchful eyes of all the civil and military officials of the Great Jin Dynasty, his abrupt collapse was enough of an order for the Great Jin Dynasty's officials, and this order was related to a considerable storm in the future. Eunuch Li had lived in the palace for so many years that he knew that an era would eventually end. This was an unavoidable fact. Following the Emperor's death, he, as the Chief Steward who had accompanied the Emperor for so many years, would naturally follow. Eunuch Li was not afraid. What he was afraid of was that before everything was settled.
The Great Jin Dynasty's successive Emperors, whether or not they followed the path of succession, naturally had to stabilize the Crown Prince's position before the death of the previous Emperor. But the current situation was different. The Crown Prince's position was still empty, which meant that once the Emperor died, the Great Jin Dynasty's previous court would inevitably be in a mess. Coinciding with the conspiracy of the people of the Southern Frontier, it could be said to be extremely unfavorable. The Emperor would not allow this to happen, but he had done it. When everyone thought that he would soon appoint a new Crown Prince, he had given the two princes the cold shoulder and did not make a decision.
Perhaps the Thirteenth Prince Xuan Pei was young and did not take it seriously, so he did not make any moves. But Eunuch Li could clearly see that the Eighth Prince could not sit still, and his troops began to increase rapidly. Perhaps he was also puzzled, why did the Emperor not appoint a Crown Prince?
Why?
Naturally, it was because of that person. Eunuch Li sighed, and his gaze instantly became somewhat aged. Only he knew the Emperor's plans, and perhaps that person also knew. But he used an extremely unyielding attitude to reject the Emperor's arrangements. He was not willing to accept the Emperor's plans.
That person … Eunuch Li let out another long sigh. In the past many years, the total number of sighs he had sighed was not as many as he had sighed in the past few days. If it had been someone else, Eunuch Li could believe that no one would be able to defy the Emperor's plans. Regardless of whether it was for the greater good of the people, or because of the temptation of that position, but if it had been that person, that person who had always done things his own way, who disdained everything, he was afraid that he would really just leave.
When two equally unyielding people were together, what would be the end result? Eunuch Li no longer thought about it. Just thinking about it gave him an incomparable headache. In the past few days, many people had already made indirect attempts to inquire about the situation. The spies sent by the Eighth Prince had also intentionally or unintentionally leaked information to him. Eunuch Li was a tactful person. Having lived peacefully in the palace for several decades, anyone who saw him would have to give him some face. But now, he was truly at his wits' end. He felt that he had sunk into a dead end. He really began to feel that he was really old.
At this time, Eunuch Li suddenly couldn't help but think of a person. That person had entered the palace at about the same time as him. At that time, he was a nameless little eunuch. That person was a student of the Imperial College. He didn't know how they became friends. Later, when Eunuch Li slowly began to establish a foothold in the palace, that person was already the current Tanhua Rank of the Imperial Court. Eunuch Li had always been a little jealous of him. In the end, that person resolutely resigned from his position and went into seclusion because of one matter at the most prosperous time. At that time, his colleagues were puzzled and he left.
Only Eunuch Li understood why he left. Because he was the person who saw it the clearest. Perhaps when he resigned from his position, he had already anticipated that there would be such a struggle today. He decisively retreated in the face of the crisis and left this chaotic situation early. If he was here, how would he deal with this situation now?
"Eunuch, eunuch," Xiao Chen looked at him and said timidly. Eunuch Li suddenly came back to his senses. Only then did he realize that he had unknowingly thought very far. Why did he suddenly think of this? Was it really because he was old?
Eunuch Li sighed. Xiao Chen looked at him and comforted, "Eunuch Li is worried about His Majesty's dragon body. His Majesty has the protection of a true dragon and will definitely turn misfortune into fortune. He will definitely be fine. Eunuch Li, do not worry too much."
Xiao Chen had been singlehandedly promoted by Eunuch Li. It was common knowledge that eunuchs did not have children, but not all eunuchs were willing to accept this fate. Eunuch Li had always treated Xiao Chen very well. Once, when Xiao Chen made a mistake, he said a few words in passing and saved his life. Xiao Chen recognized Eunuch Li as his adoptive father. Now, seeing that Eunuch Li was not his usual self, he naturally had to express his concern.
"Ah." Eunuch Li sighed and looked at the young man in front of him. How long could he stay in this position? But the young man in front of him had always been very rash and naive. If he had not protected him, he did not know how many times he would have died in this palace. After he left, who could help this boy turn misfortune into fortune? Eunuch Li felt a little melancholy. He looked at Xiao Chen and said, "It's best if you don't come out these days. If it's possible, I will inform the other side. You should temporarily leave the palace and hide. Just say that you are returning to your hometown to attend a funeral or something. You should not stay in the palace."
"Why?" Xiao Chen asked curiously. "Adoptive Father, His Majesty's dragon body is not well. After all, he has nothing to do with us servants. Why does he have to leave the palace?"
"Don't ask so many questions." Eunuch Li glared at him. The way to survive in the palace was that the more one knew, the earlier one would die. This was something that was known long ago. Yet, this child did not know anything and kept bumping into things.
"Adoptive Father, what do you think the situation in the palace will be like next? Will His Eighth Highness and His Thirteenth Highness start fighting? Previously, when I was working outside, His Eighth Highness praised me and seemed to want me to go to the palace over there. Do you think I might get a chance? " Xiao Chen did not hide his happiness at all. It was as if if Xuan Li threw an olive branch to him, he would immediately rush over. This was not rare. All the young eunuchs in the palace did not want to live in obscurity. They always hoped that they could amaze the world with a single brilliant feat. At least, the position of the chief steward was attractive enough. Xiao Chen said his plan out loud. Not only was it not a reflection of his ambition, but it was also … a little silly.
Eunuch Li was shocked when he heard this. He knew the Emperor's plan better than anyone else. If Xiao Chen really went to His Eighth Highness's side, he would be implicated even if he showed the slightest bit of goodwill. Eunuch Li had always been a tight-lipped person. Everyone wanted to get information from him, but they always failed. Now, facing his adopted son, Eunuch Li's reluctance finally won over his years of experience. He pulled Xiao Chen to the side and whispered, "Lower your voice. Don't get involved in these things. Don't agree to His Eighth Highness's side either."
"Why?" Xiao Chen asked curiously.
This kid always asked why. Eunuch Li was a little anxious, but if he did not explain clearly, he felt that Xiao Chen would not give up his plan. Helpless, Eunuch Li could only vaguely say, "No one can understand His Majesty's plan. His Eighth Highness is not a candidate. Don't get yourself into trouble. "
With just one sentence, a smart person would immediately understand the meaning of Eunuch Li's words. This was because Eunuch Li's meaning was very clear. The Emperor's intention was not on the Eighth Prince. Choosing the Eighth Prince was actually choosing the losing side. Eunuch Li said, "Remember what I said to you today. Don't say these words to anyone else."
Xiao Chen nodded with fear. No matter how stupid he was, he could still understand the meaning behind Eunuch Li's words. This was the first time that Eunuch Li had done something that was not befitting of his status as a chief steward. He had revealed the Emperor's information to an outsider. No matter how tactful and indifferent he was, he still treated his adopted son as his own son. He was not willing to let him walk a dead end.
After Eunuch Li finished speaking, a young eunuch came in from outside to report that Empress Dowager Yi De of the Palace of Compassionate and Peaceful had summoned him. Eunuch Li went in person, but he didn't see that behind him, Xiao Chenzi, who had lowered his head, slowly raised his head. His face, which had always looked simple and honest, had now lost its usual silly look. Instead, it was replaced by an unfathomable expression. Then, his gaze moved quickly, and then he lowered his head again, as if nothing had happened, and walked out as if nothing had happened.
….
The matter of the Emperor's serious illness in the palace caused a huge uproar in the previous dynasty. But this matter was not over. Following that, things happened one after another. Eunuch Li disappeared. As the Emperor's chief steward, Eunuch Li had always been in charge of the Emperor's daily life. He was the person who understood the Emperor the best. Eunuch Li's disappearance even alarmed Empress Dowager Yi De. The guards on night duty said that they did not see anyone go out at night, so Eunuch Li must still be in the palace.
After almost the entire palace was turned upside down, someone finally found Eunuch Li's corpse in the dry well behind Jingyang Palace. There were no other traces on the corpse, and even a suicide note was found on Eunuch Li's body. Eunuch Li had committed suicide by jumping into the well. How could a chief eunuch commit suicide by jumping into the well? Eunuch Li's suicide note only expressed that he was sorry to the Emperor for not being able to accompany the Emperor until the end. But some people guessed that Eunuch Li saw that the Emperor did not have long to live, and his worries were too much. Finally, he was so frightened that he jumped into the well to commit suicide.
Although this was somewhat inconceivable, it was not entirely impossible. As the Head Steward, his fate was naturally closely linked to the Emperor's. The coroner had already checked and found that Eunuch Li had indeed committed suicide by jumping into the well. Of all times, it had happened when the Emperor was gravely ill. If this was not the case, then what else could it be? Most importantly, apart from this, no one could find any other reason that could have caused the Head Steward to commit suicide.
After all, Eunuch Li was the Head Steward of the palace. Even if he did not have any meritorious services, he had worked hard for the Emperor for so many years. However, Eunuch Li no longer had any relatives by his side. Instead, it was a little eunuch who volunteered and said that he was Eunuch Li's adopted son and was willing to handle the funeral for Eunuch Li. Such a sentimental little eunuch was praised by the higher-ups. Thus, Eunuch Li's wealth and silver naturally became Little Chen 'zi's. Because of this, Little Chen' zi was also valued, and he somewhat resembled the Head Steward of the past.
When the matter of Eunuch Li reached Jiang Ruan's ears, Jiang Ruan was discussing the account book with Steward Lin. Because it was a report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, she did not avoid Steward Lin. Eunuch Li's death could not be said to not be sudden. As Jiang Ruan thought about it, she suddenly discovered that Steward Lin also had a dazed expression. This Steward Lin, who had been very spirited just a quarter of an hour ago, abruptly became absent-minded. It was somewhat strange. Jiang Ruan carefully looked at him and unexpectedly discovered a trace of sadness in Steward Lin's eyes.
Sadness? Jiang Ruan's eyes moved and she reminded him, "Steward Lin?"
Steward Lin abruptly returned to his senses, as if he had just realized that he was absent-minded. For a moment, he was at a loss for what to do. Then, somewhat flustered, he said, "This … Young Madam, this old servant has failed in his duties."
Jiang Ruan smiled slightly, "It's not your fault. Suddenly hearing about the shocking news in the palace, it's normal for you to be a little dazed. I was also startled just now. Steward Lin was absent-minded and seemed to be thinking about this matter. What is your opinion on this matter? "
Steward Lin laughed dryly. Just as he was about to say that he was untalented and shallow in learning, how could he distinguish the knack in this matter? However, when he met Jiang Ruan's gaze, he was unable to say anything. Jiang Ruan's gaze was as gentle as it was in the past, with a sharpness that seemed to be able to see through people. She seemed to have long noticed that there was something wrong with him, and she was sensitive enough to grasp it. Now, she had merely asked about it. In terms of guessing people's hearts, no one was more outstanding than the princess of the Wang fu.
Steward Lin straightened his expression and put away the awkward expression from before. In an instant, it was as if he had become a different person. He said, "Eunuch Li has been in this position for many years and has seen great winds and waves. He would certainly not commit suicide because of a temporary matter. He left behind a will, but it was all about irrelevant matters. It was really full of flaws. This old servant boldly guesses that Eunuch Li did not commit suicide, but was murdered by someone who disguised it as a suicide. "When he said this, although his tone was restrained, he could not help but reveal a trace of anger.
Jiang Ruan nodded and said softly, "That's right. Then, in Steward Lin's opinion, who killed him?"
"Since Eunuch Li had reached the position of the Head Steward, his mind was smooth and sly. Ordinary people would naturally not be able to deceive him. Only those who were close to him would be able to make a move. Since this person was able to make Eunuch Li completely defenseless, it must be someone who had been with him day and night, and had already gained his complete trust. There is no doubt that Eunuch Li died at the hands of his own people! "
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